Jakarta – Gerindra Party deputy chairman Fadli Zon said Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's announcement that he would resign from the party proved that he was an opportunist politician.

He said that Ahok should not oppose the party chief patron Prabowo Subianto's proposal to eliminate direct elections for regional heads.

Ahok's resignation, he said, was unethical because he had been able to become the capital city's deputy governor only because the party nominated him in 2012.

"His move is unethical. His contribution to Gerinda is small and people will look at his track record as a kutu loncat [a jumping flea, which symbolizes disloyalty]," Fadli said in Jakarta on Wednesday as quoted by kompas.com.

"We can accept his resignation if that is his choice. But if he opposes our move to return the election of regional heads to legislative councils, saying this mechanism is unconstitutional, then it means he does not understand the party's principles."

He said, however, that Gerindra was not worried about the former East Belitung regent's resignation because it would remain strong after he left.

Ahok jumped ship from the Golkar Party to join Gerindra in 2012 prior to the Jakarta gubernatorial election. (alz/nfo)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/09/10/fadli-zon-calls-ahok-opportunistic-politician.html